Chapter 3
Uniting Against The Threat of Radicalism

Thousands of people died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Radical tendencies, irrespective of their origin, are one of the most dangerous threats to world peace and security. Radicalism means to advocate fundamental and sudden changes by means of uncompromising and hard-line policies. Radicals seek such changes by employing cunning and often aggressive policies. One of radicalism’s characteristic traits is the angry attitude visible in its adherents’ speeches, books, and demonstrations. Radical movements are dominated by blindly advocated taboos, instead of conscious behavior, and reflect amass psychology. This psychology, in turn, can get so out of control that people, who no longer know what they are doing or why, turn their aggression on others. In an environment where love, affection and understanding have ceased to exist, people begin to feel animosity toward different ideologies or races without knowing what the other party really represents or believes.

Ignorance enables radicalism to find new recruits, even though it is a harmful and destructive movement. Misinformed or one-sidedly informed people are vulnerable to extremist movements, whose philosophical programs they adopt without careful reflection. This is why education is an essential aspect of the ideological fight against radicalism.

Sabah newspaper, 15 September 2001

Qur'an cited in the Cathedral

Certain circles tried to blame all Muslims for the 9/11 attacks, even though Islamic morality forbids violence and aggression. After the attacks, President Bush visited a mosque in Washington, DC, where he stated that Islam is a religion of peace and advised Americans to beware people who seek to misinform them. Muslims and Christians prayed together for all of those who lost their lives in the attacks.

In our own time, radicalism has emerged among Muslims, Christians, and Jews. This situation is abused and taken advantage of by proponents of Samuel Huntington’s proposed clash of civilizations theory. The scale of radicalism’s threat to world peace has become apparent in the 9/11 attacks on the United States and its consequences. The fact that these attacks are widely believed to have been carried out in the name of Islam resulted in a great deal of prejudice against Muslims and misunderstanding of Islam. Given the fact that Islam prohibits all acts of violence and aggression, most of the Islamic world condemned these terrorist attacks. Muslims prayed alongside Christians for the innocent lives lost, and American Muslims rushed to the aid of the victims. Despite this, prejudice against Muslims in the United States and some European countries has vastly increased, and incidences of violence have been reported. The arguments of those radicals who seek to divide the world into two warring factions have created an atmosphere of anxiety.

In order to eradicate radicalism and its damaging consequences, cultural and educational campaigns designed to reach all sections of society must be organized. We can list the topics and the responsibilities of various sections of society to be covered by this program, as follows:

- Being aware that radicalism, an extremist tendency, that is incompatible with true religious morality, must be defeated ideologically so that its claim to be acting in the name of religion can be exposed as false. People of all three divinely revealed religions must be told that they have a responsibility to be compassionate, patient, gentle, friendly, polite, and respectful. They have to be made aware that Allah forbids violence, aggression, and anything that harms innocent people. They must understand that it is wrong to go down that path. These efforts will ensure that people who emerge, supposedly in the name of religion, and who support harshness and violence will be recognized as misguided liars and thereby prevented from finding new recruits.

A program must be designed to give full and accurate information about all parties involved in the conflict, so that international cooperation becomes possible. An important step toward mutually friendly relations is the creation of an environment in which Jews, Christians, and Muslims can begin to know each other’s beliefs, traditions, and rituals better. This can be done through cultural and educational programs. As people come to know each other better, they will realize that they have many things in common. This, in turn, will make reconciliation possible. Muslims, Christians, and Jews should tell one another about their respective worldviews in line with Allah’s divine books of revelation, thereby preventing the mutual misunderstanding and radicalism caused by a lack of accurate knowledge.

The media must support the cultural activities necessary to create an environment conducive to international cooperation. They should refrain from sensationalism, which incites violence and segregation, and focus on broadcasts that encourage moderation, affection and understanding. Carefully prepared broadcasts by the western media will play an important role in eradicating the currently widespread anti-Muslim prejudice. Muslim media organizations, for their part, must refrain from broadcasts and opinions that incite hatred toward non-Muslims and concentrate instead on cultural and spiritual education in the Islamic world.

Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious leaders and opinion makers must identify people who are bent on portraying myths and false beliefs as part of the religious code. They must teach people that Allah commands believers to be balanced and gentle, and that all extremism is incompatible with religious morality. Political leaders must support this awareness campaign in order to prevent extremism in society and must prepare the necessary ground so that a moderate conception, one that is compatible with religious moral values, should rule.

Left:

An article by Rabbi Eric Yoffie, who condemned attacks on Muslims by some radicals in the aftermath of 9/11. Radicalism of whatever stripe can only be eradicated by teaching and spreading true religious morality.

Palestine is one of the world's most problematic regions. Fortunately, however, a dialogue and cooperation against atheist Zionism has begun to develop among rational Jews and Muslims. The article, "Building a Better Future Together," relates the efforts being made by joint Muslim-Jewish initiatives in the field of technology. Another article, "A bridge over water cooperation," reveals joint Muslim-Jewish ventures to resolve the water problem in Palestine. An environment in which religious morality is practiced will increase the number of such joint initiatives and, Allah willing, deliver lasting prosperity, tranquility, and security.

Right:

These and similar joint efforts will eradicate the conditions conducive to radicalism. In addition, believers must begin to show sincere respect for others’ beliefs and values. Genuine believers must seek to draw closer to Allah instead of accusing one another. They should concentrate on enhancing their sincerity and work to earn Allah’s good pleasure and mercy. In the following verse Allah reveals that people who act otherwise are wrong:

This article, "Cleric condemns suicide attacks," published on the BBC's website, quotes Sheikh Muhammad Sayed Tantawi as saying that such attacks are irreconcilable with Islam.

Right: The statement of Islamic scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who says "Islam Does Not Permit Aggression Against Innocent People."

The fact that radicalism and violence are incompatible with Islam is frequently stated by Islamic scholars. The grand imam of the renowned al-Azhar University, Sheikh Muhammad Sayed Tantawi, whose views are highly respected by Muslims, said the following about the suicide bombings targeting civilians in Israel:

…I am against those who say that attacking women, children, or any other civilians is permitted, just because the children may grow up to serve in the army. This is ridiculous, ugly talk that is totally rejected. And it totally contradicts the recommendations of the Prophet. Aggression against honest people is completely prohibited by Islamic law. (Frank Gardner, "Restoring Faith in Islam," BBC News, December 26, 2001.)

Another man of religion who expresses similar views is Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh. His words "[it] is a form of suicide, and therefore condemned," are an expression of the fact that such attacks are incompatible with Islam.

The dean of the London's Muslim College, Dr. Zaki Badawi, also asserts that radicalism and violence have no place in Islam:

I personally think they are wrong in their understanding of Islam and I think that it is terrible to commit a crime against innocent people because this is against Muslim law. (Frank Gardner, "Restoring Faith in Islam," BBC News, December 26, 2001.) ...

One of the most important ways of preventing radicalism is establishing an interfaith cooperation. One example of such a dialogue is the traditional Alexandria meetings hosted by the Patriarch of Alexandria.

The text of the speech on the Muslim-Christian cooperation by the Patriarch of Alexandria. Right: The declaration of the 2002 meeting.

The Jews say: »The Christians have nothing to stand on,« and the Christians say: »The Jews have nothing to stand on,« yet they both recite the Book. Those who do not know say the same as they say. Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection regarding the things about which they differ. (Surat Al-Baqara: 113)

Eradicating the harm caused by Jewish, Christian, and Muslim radicals is possible only if all moderate, peace-loving, civilized, and genuinely religious people cooperate and form an alliance. Such an alliance will defeat those who present war and conflict as the only option, and disprove the assertions of those who advocate a show of force as the only way to achieve security and prevent further bloodshed, tears, and material damage.

Another important way to curb radicalism is to expose the movements and ideologies that promote extremism as false. In the coming pages, we will scrutinize the errors of various radical Jewish and Christian movements. But first, we need to remind people in the Islamic world to be alert against radicalism.

Muslims Must Not Forget That the Moral Values of the Qur’an Forbid All Forms of Extremism

As mentioned earlier, Islamic societies have been centers of affection and goodwill toward non-Muslims throughout history, particularly in our Prophet’s (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) time. Islamic history is full of examples of Christians and Jews seeking and finding refuge with Muslims. Bearing this reality in mind at a time when the world so desperately needs peace, Muslims must develop a model based on the Qur’an’s morality and our Prophet’s (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) life that will set the standards for the rest of the world.

Radicalism is wholly incompatible with the way of life prescribed by Allah. Allah describes Muslims as those who speak nicely, refrain from conflict and fighting, are friendly and moderate toward even the fiercest opponents, and modest, patient, compassionate, and loving. In the Qur’an Allah reveals that all of the Prophets were moderate, gentle, and affectionate toward others. For example, Allah describes the Prophet Abraham (pbuh) as: »tender-hearted and forbearing« (Surat At-Tawba: 114) and the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) as:

It is a mercy from Allah that you were gentle with them. If you had been rough or hard of heart, they would have scattered from around you. (Surah Al ’Imran: 159)

Since Muslims are only responsible for announcing the Qur’an’s morality, and since they are prohibited from being bullies or enforcers and are required to be softly spoken to even the cruelest tyrant, they cannot be extremists or radicals, for such groups advocate that which violates the Qur’an’s morality.

Make allowances for people, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.
(Surat Al-A'raf: 199)

Radicalism is an ideological movement and political approach that is incompatible with the moral values of Islam. When radical groups are examined, it gradually becomes clear that they are, in reality, using a compilation of slogans and methods used by Darwinists and materialists or that they have adopted the »fanatical rage of the time of ignorance« (Surat Al-Fath: 26). One of the common characteristics of such ideologies is their emotional force, an underlying cause of radicalism that is totally incompatible with Allah’s commands. The Qur’an describes Muslims as people who control their anger and who are reasonable, moderate, and tolerant. They always prefer reconciliation in order to reach solutions within the framework of mutual understanding and optimism. They show their calming and peaceful sides in all situations. One verse reveals these attributes:

Those who give in times of both ease and hardship, those who control their rage and pardon other people – Allah loves the good-doers. (Surah Al ’Imran: 134)

Muslims must be polite and respectful when interacting with people of different beliefs and ideologies. They never resort to force or threats, for their responsibility is limited to teaching others about the Qur’an’s morality. The rest is up to the conscience of those people. The following verse describes this approach:

Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition, and argue with them in the kindest way. Your Lord knows best who is misguided from His way. And He knows best who are guided. (Surat An-Nahl: 125)

Allah commanded Prophets Moses and Aaron (peace be upon them) to speak with Pharaoh, and to do so softly:

»Go to Pharaoh; he has overstepped the bounds. But speak to him with gentle words so that, hopefully, he will pay heed or show some fear.« (Surah Ta Ha: 43-44)

Pharaoh was the worst denier and tyrant of his time. He rejected Allah, engaged in the perversion of making an idol out of himself, and was a despot who killed and oppressed the believers (Israelites). Yet, Allah commanded His Prophets to speak with gentle words when they visited him. Notice that Allah’s ordained method is to establish a friendly dialogue. Agitating words, expressions of anger and heated protests are incompatible with His code of preaching and morality.

Therefore, all Muslims must refrain from a harsh, angry, and challenging approach, for these are contrary to the Qur’an’s method and essence. Instead, Muslims must adopt the affection-filled, moderate, calm, and rational approach described in the Qur’an. In other words, they must be role models, with their maturity, lovableness, humanity, moderation, humility and calm for humanity and earn people’s admiration for the morality of Islam and themselves. Muslims should also make great progress and produce superb works of science, culture, art, and aesthetics, as well as live Islam in the best way, and thus represent it to the world.

What Should Muslims‘ Perspective towards Terror Be?

A painting depicting Crusaders damaging al-Aqsa Mosque.

All forms of terrorist attack are roundly condemned in Islam. According to the Qur’an, it is a great sin to kill an innocent person, and anyone who does so will suffer great torment in the Hereafter:

… If someone kills another person – unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth – it is as if he had murdered all mankind. And if anyone gives life to another person, it is as if he had given life to all mankind. Our Messengers came to them with Clear Signs, but even after that, many of them committed outrages in the earth. (Surat Al-Ma’ida: 32)

This verse equals the killing of one innocent to slaughtering all of humanity! Another verse expresses the importance that the faithful attach to life:

Those who do not appeal to any other deity besides Allah [alone]; nor kill any soul whom Allah has forbidden [them to] except with the right to do so; nor fornicate. Anyone who does so will incur a penalty. (Surat Al-Furqan: 68)

In yet another verse, Allah issues the following commandment:

The Church of the Nativity

Say: »Come, and I will recite to you what your Lord has forbidden for you«: that you do not associate anything with Him; that you are good to your parents; that you do not kill your children because of poverty – We will provide for you and them; that you do not approach indecency – outward or inward; that you do not kill any person Allah has made inviolate – except with the right to do so. That is what He instructs you to do, so that hopefully, you will use your intellect. (Surat Al-An’am: 151)

Any Muslim who believes in Allah with a sincere heart, who scrupulously abides by His verses and fears suffering in the Hereafter, will avoid harming even one other person. He knows that the Lord of Infinite Justice will suitably reward him for all his deeds. In one of the hadiths, our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) listed the kinds of people who are not pleasing to Allah:

Those who act cruelly and justly in the sacred lands, those who yearn for the ways of the ignorant, and those who wrongly shed human blood.23

Another element worthy of note on this subject is the way they treat places of worship. Churches, synagogues and mosques are houses for the worship of Allah. It is a terrible crime in the Sight of Allah to slaughter innocent people as they worship in their churches, synagogues or mosques. The people who go to those places are devout, prayerful people. All houses where the name of Allah is remembered are sacred in the eyes of Islam. Visitors to these houses may be Jews, Christians or Muslims. The important thing is that each one is a devout believer in Allah. A Muslim must respect and protect the holy places where the People of the Book worship Allah, and protect them. For Muslims, these places are precious because in these places, people, whether Jews or Christians remember Allah.

Darwinism Is The Root Of Terrorism; The Solution Is True Religious Moral Values

ADNAN OKTAR: For one thing, Islam is a religion of peace, as the name suggests. It is a religion of peace, love, affection, compassion, friendship, solidarity and everything good. But if you leave it in the hands of the ignorant they will kill and bomb and create a state of disorder. If you ask why they are doing it, they will say they are doing it for Allah’s sake. That is what happens in the hands of the ignorant. The Christians took the Gospels and set about applying them in a different way. They staged the Crusades and wreaked terrible slaughter. They hanged and slew. The same with the Jews. There is no end to the slaughter they carried out with the Torah. Yet the Torah commands one to love and protect one’s neighbor, any neighbor, no matter what his faith. That applies to Christianity, too. Judaism and Christianity are religions of love. Islam is also a religion of love. But if you put the Qur’an into the hands of people whose hearts are hardened, who have received a Darwinist education in Europe, who have received guerrilla training and communist education, then that is the result. Because such people deliberately use the Qur’an in order to act out the hatred in their heads. Yet in the Qur’an, when someone commits a murder they bring the murderer in. Allah then tells us to forgive the murderer. There are verses to that effect. What more? The Qur’an tells us to forgive even people who have deliberately committed murder in cold blood. So how can they possibly find violence in such a faith? Bombing and shooting and killing. They plant bombs where there are women and children. And they are all suddenly blown into pieces. And if you ask why, they will say they did it for Allah. Why not tell the truth and say you received a Darwinist, materialist education and are a great admirer of Stalin? Say you tried to square this with the Qur’an in your own mind and deceive the public. They should openly say they know that such things do not exist in Islam. Such people will say they are ill. Let them tell the truth. There is no such thing in the Qur’an. Our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was exceedingly affectionate and compassionate. A cat was sleeping in his lap, so he cut his robe in order not to waken and disturb the animal. That is the kind of Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) we have. Where does all this bombing, the bombing of innocent children, and violence come from then? They are deprived of spirit. They do not know how to eat and drink; they have no art, no science, no technology and no love. These people have nothing to do with religion. They are people who attempt to apply the darkness in their souls, polytheism in their souls, to the Qur’an. The life of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is an open book. He loved beauty and art, kept everything around him clean and lovely and spoke in a most pure manner. He was always affectionate, witty and modest. His surroundings were always spotless. He planted roses with the means available at the time. Just think, in the desert environment of Mecca and Medina. Just think; he even grew roses there. We can see his propensity toward love and beauty from that. The mighty Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) even joked with his grandchildren. They chased him and he chased around after them. That was the kind of person the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was. But look at the faces of those people and you can read the murder in them. Can such people be Muslims? That is why it is the freemasons who are behind attempts to depict Islam as something abnormal. And these are all people who have had a Darwinist, materialist, Stalinist education. Their devilish idea was to try to portray Islam as something terrifying. Muslims supposedly carried out the September 11 attacks. What Muslims? Look beneath the surface and you will see people who received a Darwinist education, who knew all about Marxism and the policies of Stalin. Why call these people Muslims? That is why every attack on Muslims is an attack by satan. We must not fall into the trap. Islam and the life of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) are plain to see. The love-filled words of the Qur’an, the words of Allah, are also plain to see. The verses of the Qur’an are crystal clear. Just like Darwinism, this is a deception, but we have exposed it and will further expose it in the future, insha’Allah.

Newsweek, 7 March 1994

The inhuman attack on the Mosque of Abraham was reported by Newsweek under the headline: "Massacre in a Mosque.".

Time, 7 March 1994

The radical Jewish settler Baruch Goldstein opened fire on Muslims during their morning prayer in the Mosque of Abraham, killing 67 and wounding a further 300.

The text of the speech on the Muslim-Christian cooperation by the Patriarch of Alexandria. Right: The declaration of the 2002 meeting.

FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH MR. ADNAN OKTAR BY POLI GAZETTE (NETHERLANDS) July 2nd, 2009

ADNAN OKTAR: The incidents portrayed as Islamic terror are actually carried out by communist terrorists whose ID cards happen to describe them as Muslims. Former Iraqi Ba’ath Party communists, Syrian Bas’ath Party communists, Libyan communists, Yemeni communists, Egyptian communists and rule by them, directed by the masons, give rise to such a structure. All those who perpetrate terrorist actions have been educated in Europe, have undergone a Darwinist, materialist education, and are people whose ID documents say they are Muslims. But they have all received a Darwinist education. Pictures of Karl Marx hang on the walls in their homes. They are generally admirers of Marx and Lenin, and Ho Chi Minh. They admire terrorists. But if asked, they will say they are Muslims. They are not Muslims. They are communists, terrorist elements who espouse anarchist thinking. It is irrelevant that their ID documents say they are Muslims. But the important thing here is that almost all these people have received a Darwinist, materialist education in Europe or America. When people are told that this education is satanic trickery, that trickery will come to an end, and we are rapidly approaching the time when it will end. We are coming to the time of the Mahdi (pbuh). We are approaching the appearance of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). The whole world will see the descent to Earth of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) in the next 10-20 years. I am here, and people are in the world. We will see it, insha’Allah, if Allah permits. The whole world will see that this is a definite reality. Darwinism is increasingly melting away, like candle wax, and will continue to do so in the future. After that, children will read about Darwinism in history books. They will be amazed how such a comic, pagan faith, such a wretched pagan religion, could have been adopted by people.

The Errors of Radical Christians

Rabbi Meir Kahane was the founder of the radical Zionist Kach organization. This group is organized in Israel as Kach and in the United States as the Jewish Defense League

The vast majority of Christians approach members of other religions with the love, and respect required by the Gospel. This is a very important – and very recent – development. During the second half of the twentieth century, the Christian world’s conviction that all other religions are completely wrong was largely abandoned, and the view that non-Christians should not be automatically condemned gained the upper hand. Christian writers, researchers, and officials expressed this view regularly. Organizations representing Christians decided to establish a dialogue and cooperate with other religions to find solutions to the world’s problems.

However, it is still possible – although not often – to encounter Christian harshness and even aggressions toward non-Christians. Some religious figures make unfounded allegations against other religions and claim that their followers are destined for Hell. Such allegations create discomfort in the Islamic world. Some Christian leaders continue to make aggressive comments about Muslims, misinterpret the Torah, and claim that in the near future a Muslim-Christian war will occur. Or, even worse, they claim that such a war is both necessary and unavoidable. The Torah relates stories from past nations, their wars, and the consequences thereof. Most of these are specific to those times and events. Therefore, such narratives must be considered in the context of those times, and one should refrain from reinterpreting those narratives to support war and conflict.

One of the most fundamental errors of Christian radicals is their belief in Armageddon, which they think will take place before the Messiah’s (pbuh) arrival. This unfounded belief violates the morality that Jesus (pbuh) taught to his followers. Even a cursory reading of the Gospel shows that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) recommended love, peace, and friendship.

Christians should know that Muslims are also awaiting the Prophet Jesus’ (pbuh) second coming, for this miracle is foretold in the Qur’an and in the Prophet Muhammad‘s (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) hadiths. Therefore, Muslims and Christians should make joint preparations for his arrival. The best preparation is to adopt the morality that pleases Allah.

The attacks of radical Jews are condemned by conscientious and rational people in the Jewish community. One such critique is given by the Jewish religious leader Jonathan Magonet, who is known for his important works on interreligious friendship. Magonet points out the common values between the three religions in his book Talking to the Other. The book also reveals information about the special service in a London synagogue held for the Muslims massacred in the Mosque of Abraham. During this service, which was attended by many Jews and Muslims, passages from the Qur'an and the holy Jewish scriptures were read, and Jews and Muslims prayed together for those who had lost their lives. This service was explained in detail in an article entitled "An Evening of Prayer for the martyrs of the Massacre at the Hebron Mosque."

After the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) returns, he will defeat all atheist ideologies and idolatrous philosophies; such ideologies as fascism and racism will be eradicated; the world will be freed from ethnic violence, tyranny, and injustice; and humanity will experience peace, happiness, and tranquility. Therefore, genuinely religious people who are preparing for this great event should make the necessary preparations, try to prevent all kinds of conflict, and leave all disputes, divisions, and animosities behind.

The Dome of the Rock and the Wailing Wall.

No doubt, the Christians are the best placed to render invalid all of those opinions and attitudes that seek to prevent a dialogue based on mutual understanding and respect between the two communities. True Christians must reveal such people’s errors to them, as well as to society, by reminding them that the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) commanded his followers to treat all people well, love their enemies, and do good to those who hate them. In other words, he does not call for intolerance toward non-Christians and does not support those self-proclaimed Christians who seek to turn the world into a great arena of warfare. Such a biased and hateful attitude toward non-Christians, especially Muslims, is the result of misinterpreted Christian teachings and certain irreligious ideologies. Moderate Christians must expose the radicals’ views as contrary to Christian teachings so that the Christian community will not be led astray. As we stated earlier, radicalism feeds on ignorance, and Christians are morally obliged to prevent this danger. As the Gospel says:

For it is Allah’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men... Show the proper respect to everyone. Love the brotherhood of believers, fear Allah... (1 Peter, 2: 15-17)

All conscientious Christians must shoulder this responsibility, for the war and conflict demanded by radicals will bring great losses, tears, and suffering to both sides. It would be a grave mistake to refrain from taking the necessary steps, when an alliance of all believers could remove this probability. The tensions desired by radicals can be prevented by Muslims and Christians of common sense. Removing the prejudices and creating an alliance of believers will enable them to play a leading role in delivering world peace. In this way, Christians and Muslims will bring peace and happiness to the world, just as the morality ordained by Allah demands.

Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition, and argue with them in the kindest way. Your Lord knows best who is misguided from His way. And He knows best who are guided. (Surat An-Nahl: 125)

The Errors of Radical Jews

On 25 February 1994, Baruch Goldstein unleashed a vicious attack on the Abraham Mosque in al-Khalil (Hebron) in the West Bank. The Jewish settler Baruch Goldstein entered the mosque and, under the protection of Israeli soldiers, walked to its center and opened fire with his M-16 assault rifle on the 500 Muslims performing their morning prayers, repeatedly changing magazines. Sixty-seven Muslims died on the spot; a further 300 were wounded.

In reality, this was only one of the many attacks carried out by certain radical Israeli Jewish groups. In 1980, the same groups tried to blow up Muslim places of worship in Jerusalem (e.g., al-Aqsa Mosque and the Qubbat as-Sakhrah). The radical Jewish settlers who walk around with their weapons and launch bloody attacks on Palestinians are members of these groups.

These radical groups harbor some ideas that violate the Torah and Judaic tradition, such as that Jews are superior to all other races, which they consider to be a sort of animal (goyim), and that all Arabs in the occupied territories should be subjected to ethnic cleansing. These attitudes prove the existence of a real danger: Jewish radicalism. We have scrutinized this radical ideology and its consequences in earlier publications. We can summarize them as follows:

There is a radical tendency in the Jewish world to promote hate and animosity toward non-Jews and advocate the harshest and most unforgiving treatment of Palestinians. This tendency has strong support within Israel and plays an important role in forming and continuing its aggressive, uncompromising, and occupying 50-year attitude against Palestinians and its Arab neighbors. No doubt, Jewish militants are a small minority within the Israeli Jewish community (also among all Jews around the world). However, there is a radical culture that provides ideological support and continues to threaten Middle Eastern and world peace.

In order for this to be put right:

Jewish religious figures should abide by the Torah‘s moral approach of love, respect, justice, and compassion. Many Jewish religious figures are working toward this end.

Zionist must be made to be implemented in a manner compatible with religious moral values. Of course Israel has the right to exist and protect itself. Moreover, it is perfectly legitimate for Jews to live in Palestine, the lands of their forefathers, alongside Muslims and Jews and to want to exist in peace. But Israel has no right to force a whole nation to live under troubles and oppression for over 50 years. Palestine is large enough for all these peoples to live together in peace and harmony. For this reason, Israel must withdraw from all of the territories that it has occupied since 1967, recognize an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, and make peace with the Palestinians as well as the Arab world by entering a friendly and constructive dialogue with them.

In addition, it is very important that religious Jews follow Allah’s advice and invite all Jews to abide by the moral conduct ordained by Him.

As with Christians and Jews, Allah has commanded the Jews to defend justice, honesty and the rights of the innocent, and to live by peace and love. Therefore, certain elements of radical Jewish fanaticism contradict other passages from the Torah, such as: Who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil (Isaiah, 33: 15). It must not be forgotten that no ideology that sanctions violence and aggression, and disrupts law and order, can succeed. Violence always brings only loss. Preventing such destructiveness necessitates the exposure of the fanatics’ deceptions and errors, which also will prevent their influence over any other people as well as help them to see reason.

Jews who genuinely believe in Allah must abide by the Torah‘s true principles and advocate for peace in order to prevent others from embracing radicalism. Some of the Torah passages that recommend peace, love, compassion, and virtue are as follows:

Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life... Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself... (Leviticus, 19: 15-18)

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your Allah. (Micah, 6: 8)

You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house... (Exodus, 20: 13-17)

Peace-seeking citizens of Israel, as well as Jews living in other countries, oppose radicalism and this is a highly significant development. Jews of genuine faith must bear in mind that the Torah prohibits murder, committing injustice, taking revenge, and bloodshed, and should become leaders in the ideological and cultural struggle against fanaticism in solidarity with all conscientious Christians and Muslims. The ideological debate against Jewish radicalism is one of the most important means of finding a lasting and peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue. Only then will Jews and Muslims – as well as Christians – be able to live with each other in peace.

Tranquility, love, and warmth will only grace Palestine and Israel when true religious morality is practiced. It must be remembered that both Jews and Muslims have suffered the greatest damage in their history at the hands of irreligious ideologies. The Torah is full of accounts of the cruelty inflicted on Jews by idolaters. The genocide and tyranny against Jews by atheists is well documented (e.g., the Nazis and Stalin’s officially encouraged anti-Semitic racists and communists). These irreligious forces hated and terrorized Jews because of their faith in Allah. Muslims and Jews must join forces against these anti-religious entities and disregard the radical propaganda that could prevent such an alliance.

Footnotes

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